Monday, November 30, 2009

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad joined the football and cheering squad on Thanksgiving morning during a special pre-game ceremony acknowledging seniors and their parents. Although this is the first of several bittersweet acknowledgements as our seniors move towards graduation, it is also one that is heartfelt on behalf of both the Music and Athletic Boosters organizations.

Senior Marching Band students and parents acknowledged this past Thursday were: Nick Abruzzese accompanied by Michelle and Mike; Ian Drummond accompanied by Thembekile and David; Carolyn Kelly accompanied by Paula and James; Eric Leva accompanied by Diane and Dennis; David Murray accompanied by Beth and Al; Kevin Parker accompanied by Maureen and Steven; and Chelsea Rose accompanied by Tim and Marcy. Senior Color Guard members and their parents were: Ericka Bojarczuk accompanied by David and Linda; Katie Campbell accompanied by Michelle and Ken; Nichole Chilliest accompanied by Naomi and Dennis; Theresa Colella accompanied by Jean and Russell; Zeeshan Mangoob accompanied by Syeda and Syed; Chelsea Rustenberg accompanied by Barbara; Taylor Waisnor accompanied by Karen and Bill; and Barbara Wye accompanied by Felise Llano and Jonathan. Finally, senior Dance Squad members and parents were: Christina Kashgegian accompanied by Lori and Mark; and Andrea McSheehy accompanied by Beth.

Most of the BHS Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad members have served the school and community for four years. They have given up their final two weeks of every summer vacation for Band Camp and have foregone many Friday night and Saturday afternoon activities. The members of this group of students have learned that sacrifice has its rewards on the performance field and beyond. It has built a sense of discipline, dignity and pride in both the students and the parents who have given their support.

The Music Boosters would also like to send a special thank you to Matt Lovell (Director, Band), Amanda Potts (Assistant Director, Band), Jen Agati (Advisor, Color Guard), Leanne Reardon (Advisor, Dance Squad) and Joe Cincotta (Advisor, Percussion) for their hours and hours of rehearsal time spent with all the students.

Congratulations to one and all for your dedication and accomplishments.

The Burlington High School Drama Club will present Arthur Miller’s classic play “The Crucible,” on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th, 2009. The performances will begin at 7:30 pm in the Fogelberg Auditorium of the high school.

“The Crucible” is an intense story that focuses on a group of Puritan girls who are caught dancing in the woods. Out of fear of consequential punishment and in an attempt to save themselves, they spin a dangerous tale of witchcraft that careens out of control and brings chaos to their community. What starts as a self-preserving lie leads to the destruction of many lives. The play is one that will leave audiences with both a sense of hope for humanity, and an understanding of what it means to be socially responsible.

The production of “The Crucible” boasts a strong team of teachers who are directing, producing and designing for the show. Director Anne Ford (English), Producer and Lighting/Sound Designer John Middleton-Cox (Music), and Stage Manager Shannon Janovitz (English) have pooled their talents and years of expertise to provide the best foundation for the BHS cast.

General admission tickets for “The Crucible” are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. They can be purchased online at www.BurlingtonTickets.org, by phone at 781-A-FUN-TIC (781-238-6842) or at the door. Fogelberg Auditorium is handicapped accessible (special care patrons may phone 781-270-1860).

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving held a special meaning for the members of the BHS Marching Band who were joined by a multitude of parents and alumni to honor Matt Lovell's 25th anniversary as a music educator at Burlington High School.

The planning began in September when a call went out to current and alumni students and their families via snail and email. Before long we were communicating with alumni from as far back as the '90s who were anxious to come back to BHS to help honor Mr. Lovell, including his first ever drum major!

Also present at the game were Mr. Lovell's family, thrilled to be there to help celebrated such a special day.

The tribute took place during the pre-game ceremonies on Thanksgiving morning. Joining Booster's President Donna Gregorio and Boosters publicist Vanessa Ovian were Principal Patrick Larkin, Burlington Coordinator of Music John Middleton-Cox, Assistant Band Director Amanda Potts, Color Guard Advisor Jen Agati, Dance Squad Advisor Leanne Reardon, Percussion Advisor Joe Cincotta, Drum Majors Eric Leva and Catie Riggs, and Mr. Lovell's and BHS' first drum major ever, Michele (McGinness) MacPherson! BHS coaches came to congratulate him and a slew of paparazzi were present (see Burlington Daily Times Chronicle Friday issue, front page and stay tuned to the broadcast of the game with pre-game on BCAT).

The following is the text that was read during the tribute:

THE BHS MARCHING BAND WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THEIR PERFORMANCE TO MR. MATT LOVELL WHO IS CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS A MUSIC EDUCATOR AND BAND DIRECTOR AT BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.

OVER THE YEARS MR. LOVELL’S DEDICATION HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND RESIDENTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE HERE TODAY. HIS BATON HAS GRACED HALF-TIME SHOWS, CONCERTS, ASSEMBLIES, VETERANS AND MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATIONS AND BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENTS.

MR. LOVELL, WE SALUTE YOUR DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS OF BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE TO COME.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association has started its final fundraiser for 2009, a Calendar Raffle with prizes each and every day promising something for everyone.

The cost of each Calendar Raffle ticket is $5, with 31 opportunities to win and no limit on the amount of tickets that may be purchased. The sale will close at the end of the month. Beginning on December 7 and running through January 6, 2010, one winning ticket will be pulled each day. All winning tickets will be reentered for additional chances to win. All proceeds from the sale of the raffle calendars that have been sold by Marching Band students will be credited directly to the student’s individual Disney account.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad helped pay tribute to veterans of foreign wars this morning on the Burlington Common.

The events began at 9:00 am with the "Call to Colors," played by Nick Abruzzese on trumpet, as the flags were raised. The students of the band soon followed with the full program at 10:00 am, making their entrance in an approach from across the green to the rhythm of a single snare cadence.

The students stood at attention through the Pledge of Allegiance, and continued with the playing of the National Anthem. Following a variety of speeches and tributes, the performance piece was a medley of military anthems, played with the utmost of pride, a fitting tribute to all the veterans who stood at attention.

The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association is celebrating its incredibly successful Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction, A Magic Music Night, held on the evening of Saturday, November 7, at the high school. The event not only broke all records for a single fundraising effort in the history of the Music Boosters with an overwhelming 450 in attendance, it also provided a substantial amount of the funding required for the Marching Band trip to perform at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in the spring of 2010.

In his introduction to the opening selection of the evening, “A Friend Like Me” from the Disney movie “Aladdin,” band director Matt Lovell likened the evening’s enthusiastic attendance to the Genie’s appearance after Aladdin uncorked the bottle. “As I see this show of support, it seems we’ve uncorked something else…a spirit of community and a spirit of friendship that is just absolutely as strong as a magic genie!”

The Burlington High School Music Boosters would also like to acknowledge the following companies for providing the refreshments for the dessert reception held during intermission: True North Coffee Shop, Delicious Desserts, LaCascia’s Bakery, Hilton Garden Inn, Stop N Shop Bedford and Stop N Shop Woburn. Special thanks are also extended to John Middleton-Cox, Matt Lovell, Jen Agati, Leanne Reardon, our student performers, Donna Gregorio, the Burlington Department of Public Works, Chet Maguire, graphics designer Rachel Gregorio and all the volunteers who made this a night to top all nights!

The success of the Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction was felt on so many different levels, and enabled the Music Boosters to embrace and validate its mission to provide the music department and its students the necessary support to enrich their music experience during their years at BHS. We applaud all our donors, our students and the greater Burlington community for their spirit of community and friendship in making this event such a huge success.

Monday, November 9, 2009

The BHS Music Boosters next General Meeting will be tomorrow night (Tuesday, November 10) at 7:30 in the Band Room. Agenda items will include a recap of the Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction (with an update of our record-breaking success) as well as other upcoming items of interest. All BHS Music Boosters families are invited to attend. The next meeting will be held in January 2010.

The BHS music students will take part in tomorrow's Veteran's Day assembly in the morning. On Wednesday the Marching Band will participate in the town-wide commemoration with the "Call to Colors" at 9 am on the Burlington Common and the Marching Band will perform during the event at 10 am.

Finally, the BHS Marching Band will take to the field this Friday for the final game prior to the Thanksgiving game. The Burlington Red Devils take on the Winchester at home, 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction is just three days away. There is one more fabulous item that has just been added to the silent auction deserving special mention.

“Vintage Twist” is a beautiful vintage side table that has been lovingly restored and treated with a special robin’s egg blue finish, highlighted with a twist of contemporary circles in green and silver. This special addition to the silent auction was created by DM Faux Designs, a business owned by Michelle Campbell (VP-Band for the Music Boosters) and Donna Flecchia.

The value of this piece is listed at $250 but is worth much more. This is item #38 in our list of silent auction items. If you would like to place an online bid for Vintage Twist, please send an email to bhsmusicboosters@google.com, indicate ONLINE BIDDING in the subject line and include your name, phone number, item # and description and your bid amount.

And of course, come to the Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction on Saturday evening at 7:30 pm to check the bids on this item and many others!